By Laura Buchanan and Sarah Liska

As Friday May 19 arrived, Hopedale Jr-Sr High’s Class of 2023 entered the school building to run through the hallways one last time. To greet them, their class advisors Mrs. Laura Buchanan and Mrs. Sarah Liska prepared a day of activities, which included a breakfast, graduation rehearsal, a review of the upcoming senior events, and ended with a talent show. A variety of students shared their voices and guitar skills in song, and tears were shed as the students left the auditorium to say their goodbyes to teachers and friends. On Tuesday that week, the seniors had attended the traditional Senior Tea, a Hopedale tradition that dates back many years, but they were still heavily in the midst of their last few classes, studying for exams, and completing homework. The end was just beginning to seem real, however when they left school on Friday, the seniors finally had a sense that their year and their time at the high school was coming to a close. 

The two weeks to follow were filled with an array of events and activities during which most if not all of the sixty-four seniors partici pated. There were celebrations and bonding moments, and many tearful goodbyes to teachers, friends, and younger students. The week of May 22nd included students finishing their classes, some taking final exams, while others completed presentations, and giving their last bit of help at their various internship locations. When not taking exams, students participated in a CPR and self-defense training course, hosted by the Hopedale Fire Department and the Villari’s Self Defense Center of Holliston, gaining important life-long skills. These training sessions were followed by a walkthrough in their graduation gowns at the Bright Beginnings Center and Memorial School, where students said goodbye to their former teachers, younger siblings, and reconnected with their memories of times gone by. The last bonding event of the week was a community clean up of Draper Field followed by an ice cream truck and pizza at the Town Park. Students gathered together on the swings at the park, played basketball, and just enjoyed each other’s company.

On the evening of Memorial Day, the Seniors embarked on a journey aboard the Odyssey in the Rowes Wharf in Boston. Chaperone Steve Bassignani captured many photos of the students with the outstanding Boston skyline at sunset. Dinner was served on their private floor, with the occasional student deciding to dance to their favorite songs on the dance floor. Mostly, the seniors took in the beautiful sights, fresh ocean breeze, and were able to relax and unwind together before a busy week.  of events.

On Tuesday May 30th, the Seniors celebrated their Senior Sports Awards night in the auditorium, orchestrated by the Hopedale Boosters association. Many of the seniors have been athletes throughout the entirety of their time at Hopedale Jr-Sr High School, many for even longer, and quite a few have been athletes in more than just one season per year. This night acknowledged their efforts and successes throughout their years of athletics in Hopedale. Some of the Seniors receiving awards were recognized for their sportsmanship and their ability to inspire and support their teammates. Also in attendance during this night was Mackenzie Greenberg, a former Hopedale alumna from the Class of 2015, two-time author, and founder of the Living with the Ribbon nonprofit foundation. She inspired the audience as she spoke about her own struggles as a cancer survivor and how her participation in sports helped to get her through living with a cancer diagnosis. At the end of this night, each student was presented with a Hopedale embossed blanket, a Senior video collage of many students’ past athletic-related events, and a reception of refreshments in the cafeteria. 

Wednesday evening was Baccalaureate, hosted and led by Reverend Cook at the Unitarian Church of Hopedale. After his opening greeting to those in attendance, Class President Madeline Hodgdon gave the opening statement, welcoming friends, families, and peers to the night of reflection and sharing. The senior members of the high school’s A Capella group, conducted by Mr. Christopher Chatham, sang a lovely rendition of “Build Me Up Buttercup.” This was followed by Reverend Cook’s official address, and then the microphone was opened up to the public to share memories, performances, poetry, or just funny stories of the class. Mrs. Liska and Mr. Chatham performed a duet from Wicked to break the ice, which then led to the sharing of appreciation of friends, classmates, and teachers, and many memories of funny mishaps from younger years. There was another performance by seniors Samantha Madigan and Thomas McSweeney of “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac, and the night ended with a blessing by Reverend Konicki of the Sacred Heart Church. A reception of treats provided by the church members was well received, and many left that night with a happy heart full of memories and good tidings.

Thursday’s Class Night was the last celebration before graduation on Saturday, and is widely known as a favorite for students, staff, and administration. Many students were presented with scholarships and awards that night by Superintendent Karen Crebase, Principal Derek Atherton, and Assistant Principal Timothy Johnson. The long-anticipated Dale yearbook was introduced, the theme being “More Than Just a Letter.” Mrs. Talitha Oliveri, the yearbook advisor, and the yearbook students ran the show, including the dedication of the yearbook to a long-time, soon-to-be-retired staff member Mr. Anthony Cordani. The class advisors addressed their class one last time, giving thanks for their six years together at the school, with many bonding events, school outings, fundraisers, and overall resilience. As they spoke, Mrs. Buchanan arranged for the big screen to display a photo message from the high school staff, with each staff member holding up a piece of a statement to the class. To end the night, the Senior video was unveiled as a Netflix-streamed show to the amusement of the audience. Students left the auditorium to sign yearbooks together, with some of their teachers and their advisors, while parents and family members enjoyed some snacks provided by members of the Freshmen class and their advisors, Mr. Mark Cafarelli and Ms. Sarah Wadehul. 

The culminating event, graduation, was held on Saturday June 3rd, with a twist in the usual hot weather that previous years have experienced. It was considerably cooler and a bit misty at times, but otherwise the heavier rain didn’t start until after the ceremony ended, and everything went according to plan. Led by the advisors and the Junior class marshalls, Matthew Carroll and Kelsey Evans, the Class of 2023 marched to their place of honor in front of the Community House to the sound of Pomp and Circumstance, played by the high school band members conducted by Mr. Anthony Beaudry. Ms. Madeline Hodgdon was the emcee of the event, beginning with her own speech challenging the Class of 2023 to continue to lead their lives with kindness just as they showed her kindness when her father, David Hogdon, passed away her freshman year. Class Vice President David Manning, Secretary Arianna Kotopoulos, and Treasurer Ryan Reynolds led the audience in the pledge of allegiance, and the senior ACapella members sang the National Anthem. Ms. Taylor Martin-LaVache, the Salutatorian, gave a poignant speech regarding the idea of nature versus nurture, and how one must choose how they lead their lives and present themselves to life’s challenges. The class Valedictorian, Mr. Tyler Wilke, compared the class’ four years to a baseball game, with their first few bases being a rough start with the pandemic being thrown into the mix. Superintendent Crebase spoke about life being like a roller coaster with highs and lows along with deciding who you will take with you on your ride.  Following the many words of wisdom given by the speakers, was a presentation of scholarships and awards by Mr. Atherton, which were aided by Hopedale Alumna Mrs. Karen Mazzarelli. Altogether, along with those awarded at class night, the amount of aid given in the form of scholarships this year came to a total of approximately $160,000, all of which was greatly earned and truly appreciated by the Class of 2023.  Finally, diplomas were presented, and in the end, Ms. Hodgdon instructed her classmates to switch their graduation cap tassels from left to right. It was an exciting end to an eventful graduation season for the Seniors, a day which neither they nor their families, teachers, coaches, friends, and the Hopedale community will soon forget.